Climate change is one the most prevalent issues in the 21stcentury, implicating everything and everyone in its catastrophic outcome, or as Margaret Atwood titles it, “It’s not Climate Change It’s Everything Change” in her report. Throughout the article the author empowers the reader, expressing how one must not be detracted from a fight that can still be won. The methods used to exhibit such were the structure, placing contrasting paragraphs parallel to one another, and through a motivational rhetoric
Firstly, the structures of the 2009 and 2015 articles play a role in persuading the reader to maintain hope. Considering the positioning of her 2009 article, Atwood begins by depicting this beautiful sustainable future where “emission-free coal plants,” and “radiant panels,” and even “wildlife refuges,” exist (Atwood 1). These conceptualizations play into this dystopian future where humans have evolved from their wasteful ways. The author proceeds to describe the other extreme of mass death and chaos, ending off by saying, “so hoard some dogfood, because you may need it,” (Atwood 1). Atwood, through juxtaposition, jars the reader by commencing with an idealistic prediction and then plunging into this dysphoric diction, ultimately painting a picture of ruination. The juxtaposition and the imagery come together to paint a two-sided reality. On one there’s a beautiful extreme, while on the other side, there’s a portrait depicting the end of our current world. Following a disheartening end, Atwood strategically utilizes her previous article, in order to build into a more hopeful regard. In the 2015 addition, its highlighted how “there are many other effects, from species extinction to the spread of diseases to a decline in overall food production, but the main point is that these effects […] are happening now,” (Atwood 1). Atwood begins where she left off, on a more sombre tone, ending the sentence in a blunt manner; awaking a type of fear within the reader. Following a defeatist paragraph, there is a reflection on how “action is being taken and statements are being made, some […] coming from directions that would once have been unthinkable,” (Atwood 1). The author begins on a pessimistic note then builds this more optimistic perspective, uplifting the reader with positive diction. The juxtaposition of a promising beginning, from her 2009 article, to a darker development, and finally, back to a hopeful ending, truly play into this concept of perseverance. Moreover, in both instances, imagery shocks the reader with such extreme portrayals yet reassures them that this should serve as drive to keep on fighting.
This is further enhanced through the rhetoric Atwood employs, where she expresses these emotions of drive. Atwood adopts a rebellious yet sturdy tone despite being faced with a catastrophic predicament. This is firstly expressed when there is a description of the lack of action by certain governments vis a vis this situation. Atwood sarcastically remark’s how politicians who are disbelievers in climate change cannot possibly be aware of it when they’ve got, “their head(s) stuck in the sand,” (Atwood 1). Atwood goes further, stating that the ways in which they have tried to conceal and manipulate others into believing that climate change is not real, by prohibiting the use of the word ‘climate change’ or creating deceitful maps, are nothing but “cute trick(s),” (Atwood 1). The metaphor applied, conveys the author’s defiant stance towards their actions, moreover, the diction enhances a rebellious tone. There is condescending rhetoric used to show that such bigotry shouldn’t disable one from fighting for a better future. In addition, this motivational language is further enhanced through the mention of all the new technologies helping to reduce the carbon dioxide fuel emissions. The author states that “it’s hopeful to bear in mind that [humans] don’t always act in [their] own worst interest,” right after she dedicates a paragraph to stating all that we have done correctly, thus far (Atwood 1). The language uplifts the reader, playing on the overall theme to that this isn’t over yet. All in all, it feeds into the aspiring, rebellious tone. The author ends off her last few sentences by employing euphoric diction with the use of the words, “courage” and “hope,” persuading, that we have yet to lose the fight (Atwood 1).
In conclusion, Margaret showcases the need of awareness concerning climate change and the continuous fight against those who chose to turn a blind eye, not allowing any detraction for this pursuit of planetary safety. The author does so by bringing horrifying outcomes faced with this situation, but skillfully ends off her article in a hopeful note. Moreover, she employs a positive yet assertive language, throughout the article, when describing what the future has to offer but also reveals the work that must be done to guarantee such.
Word Count: 790
Atwood, Margaret E., and Margaret E. Atwood. “It’s Not Climate Change - It’s Everything Change.” Medium, Matter, 27 July 2015, medium.com/matter/it-s-not-climate-change-it-s-everything-change-8fd9aa671804.
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